Bail refused for Pinoy tourist gang of pickpockets

Eastern Court in Sai Wan Ho

A magistrate in Eastern Court rejected on May 3 a bail application by two of five Filipino tourists who are facing an attempted theft charge following a botched bid to pick the wallet of a Korean woman in April.

Four of the defendants appeared in court before Magistrate Peter Law. They were Rasim Linambos, Arlene Gerodias, Manuelito Camacho and Delia Neri.

A fifth defendant, Zenaida Aviles, was absent, as she was reportedly taken to a hospital a few days earlier because she vomited blood. She was scheduled to appear solo in the same court on May 2, but failed. Magistrate Law was told she remained in hospital.

Aviles, Linambos, Gerodias, Camacho and Neri were arrested on Apr 24 after their failed attempt to steal the Korean woman’s wallet in an MTR station on Hong Kong Island.

The attempt failed because the Korean felt someone was tugging at her wallet. It turned out the wallet was secured by a chain to the bag. Plainclothes police who were nearby arrested the five.

On May 3, the duty lawyer representing the five said Linambos was offering to put up a $2,500 bail for his temporary release while Gerodias was offering $1,650, but Law rejected their applications.

The magistrate adjourned their case until May 24 and ordered them remanded in custody.  - Vir B. Lumicao. All rights reserved.

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